Man who hacked parents nabbed

A MAN who killed his father and injured his mother in a hacking incident was arrested at Barangay Igmaya-an in Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental Wednesday afternoon.

Chief Inspector Roberto Indiape Jr., chief of Murcia Municipal Police Station, identified the suspect as Helardo Benarao Jr., 36.

The area was geographically situated in Murcia town even if the residents are residing in Salvador Benedicto town.

Indiape said the suspect was found by his relatives and barangay officials, hiding somewhere far in the village.

He resisted arrest and tried to fight back but he was cornered and was turned over to the police, Indiape said.

He was weak because he allegedly fell on a cliff when he escaped after he hacked and burned to death his father, 55-yearold Helardo, following a heated argument at their residence on Monday.

He also hacked his mother, 58-year-old Sinona, when the latter tried to pacify him, but she is stable now at a hospital. Indiape said they have difficulty asking the suspect about the incident because he even didn’t know about the crime he committed.

The suspect’s family alleged that he is suffering from a mental illness and his condition became worse when his wife reportedly left him for a week now. Indiape said parricide charges are being prepared against the suspect, who is now confined at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City.

Indiape said they are validating if the suspect was shot because of the injuries he sustained when he was hiding. He underwent a surgery.